The RMA Podcast. Episode 71. Voice & Visibility of Women's Running in Trail & Ultra Running

On this episode of the RMA Podcast we talk about the voice and visibility of Women’s Running, particularly in the Trail & Ultra Running space. I am joined by Ali Pottinger, Owner and Coach of Squadrun in New Zealand, Mum, Teacher, & Event Race MC, Catherine Graue, Partner of the race director & Communications & behind the scenes extraordinaire of Kunanyi Mountain Run & Kunanyi trail Series in Tasmania, Lyndal Maloney, Owner and Coach for Serotonin Running, a women’s running group in the Blue Mountains of Sydney, and Founder of She Runner Australia, a working group comprising of women runners who are working towards increasing female participation in trail and ultra running events, as well as making the sport more equitable and accessible for women. They have been doing a fair bit of work on researching what women want, understanding the current trail and ultrarunning ‘climate’, and taking this information to develop a set of guidelines for race directors. The end goal is more women in the sport, and race directors putting on a fabulous, inclusive race.

All of these women are mums and runners themselves and passionate about getting women out running and helping to create environments in our communities and events that make us feel safe and supported as running women.

Women deserve to have a voice and visibility in women’s running and events, and we as recreational runner's have an important part to play in growing and shaping women's sport. In this episode are wanting to encourage YOU the listener, and all recreational runner's that they are role models in our sport and have an important part to play in sharing what is important to them as a woman runner both personally, and to the wider community so that we can collectively create powerful and positive change.

In this episode we discuss things like the unique challenges women face in the running community, and what can we do within our own circle of influence to improve things in these areas, support systems for women, safety, training for women vs men, pelvic health issues, fertility, breastfeeding or inclusivity for children at event at events, lack of confidence, the menopause transition, female coverage in media/social media in our sport, recognition and awards for female podium finishes, and what considerations should races be giving concerning women’s health and wellness; such as pregnancy, menstruation and postpartum support, and many more ways that races can ensure that their events are inclusive and welcoming to women, and how they can help foster a sense of community among female runners.

We loved sharing in these topics as running women, and encourage you to share this episode with those you know may help to create powerful change when it comes to the voice and visibility of Women’s Running. Whilst this podcast focuses on Trail and ultra events, these issues certainly affect all female runners and we would love to empower change across the board.

You can find more about our guests at:

Ali Pottinger: Squadrun & Episode 52.

Catherine Graue: Kunanyi Mountain Run & Kunanyi Trail Series

Lyndal Maloney: Serotonin Running & She Runner Aus

This podcast is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia